On April 20th, 2007 during the first International Starlight Conference, supported by IAC, UNESCO, IAU,UN-WTO, MaB, SCBD and CMs, it was agreed to promote annually the World Night in Defence of the Starlight as part of our cultural, scientific and environmental heritage. Every year on this date we remind ourselves of the need to preserve our right to view a dark night sky full of stars and to take steps to prevent its disappearance. This year, World Night in Defence of the Starlight falls within Astronomy Week 2010.

A whole range of organizations have unified their efforts and activities this year in April to raise awareness about defending our starry skies all over the planet.

The World Night on April 20th is an opportunity to get actively involved in many ways:

Organize events and ceremonies for the adoption of the Starlight Declaration.

Claim and propose visitable places for observation, as well as parks and destinations under the stars.

Promote public statements aimed to recover the vision of starry skies and limit light pollution.

Switch-off unnecessary lights at night to recover the vision of stars, and at the same time save energy and slow down climate change.

Organize artistic events or competitions on themes related with the vision of starry skies.

Offer night sky viewing through telescopes.

Provide media coverage and public talks by scientists, experts, and dark skies advocates related with all dimensions of the night sky.

Promote the identification of local dark areas that warrant protection. Advocate for local dark sky ordinances.

And last, but not least, organize events in which children can participate. Our capacity to maintain the right to observe stars is in their hands; it should be the right of future generations.